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81-year-old man found by Mumbai Police 48 years after murder bid acquitted

Main witness says she does not remember incident.

2 min readDec 4, 2025 08:09 PM IST

The man had jumped bail and remained absconding for 48 years before being traced to Ratnagiri.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the accused.

A sessions court on Thursday acquitted an 81-year-old man arrested by the Mumbai Police in an attempt to murder case in October this year, 48 years after he jumped bail and absconded.

In 1977, the Colaba Police named Chandrakant Kalekar as an accused for allegedly attacking his then girlfriend with a knife after a quarrel between them over his suspicion that she was being friendly with someone else. Kalekar was granted bail in the case at that time but had escaped, following which a non-bailable warrant was issued against him in 1984. The case had then become a dormant file.

In October, the police traced Kalekar, after finding his record on voters’ lists and other documents and based on intelligence inputs, to a village in Ratnagiri district.

During the two-month long trial before him in the sessions court, the police managed to trace the victim in the case and brought her as a witness but she refused to support the prosecution’s case. She told the court that in 1977, she was working in an accounts office in Fort.

“She does not remember the incident that happened with her in 1977. She does not know accused. Resultantly, the star witnesses left loyalty towards prosecution. Therefore, the evidence against accused is insufficient to prove the charges levelled against him. Hence, I have no hesitation to hold that the prosecution failed to prove the charge against accused and accused is entitled to be acquitted,” said additional sessions judge.

Kalekar was acquitted of the attempt to murder charge (Section 307) of the Indian Penal Code. He was granted bail a few days after his arrest, with the court considering his advanced age as a ground to grant him relief.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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